“Call Kaye” BBC Radio Scotland Tues 27-April. Information for all carers

Earlier this week on Tuesday 27/4 there was an interesting discussion about learning disability, especially autism & Aspergers.  Radio Scotland ‘Call Kaye’.  If you didn’t catch programme then it’s still on iplayer from the BBC www until Monday.  For program & more details see:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r3zl7    There is a ‘Call Kaye’ FaceBook discussion board and you can read & post comments.  To access follow the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/n/?topic.php&uid=401973844553&topic=15010&post=87659&mid=243b3e6G5af34dc02813G1fc1fG21&n_m=dgppg%40dumfries-galloway.org.uk#post87659

Also today we received  literature requested from RESCARE an English charity est 1984 concerned with the learning disabled.  They used to have a presence in Glasgow & Edinburgh, but apparently that died with the hospital closures some time ago.  Very active in England though and facing same issues re day centers (ARCs) and choice.   Look at www.rescare.org.uk  

We only heard of them recently by chance, but they understand and argue for real ‘Choice’, not ideology. Reading their latest April 2010 Newsletter (Resnews…) with literature just received, we wish we had known of this charity when fighting the closure of Dunmuir Park in 2006 and earlier in 1999/2000. The arguments we put forward, which were ignored by the ‘experts’, are all there with evidence and it’s worth reading.  This is a very useful resource for facts, figures, arguments and ammunition, which will be very necessary in the light of JA’s determination to close the ARCs, to save cash.  

You may wish to contact RESCARE and ask them for a copy of their publications.  If you can get anything on line have a read otherwise get on the circulation list.  Why are we not told of such sources of real support, as compared to Enable Scotland or ‘charities’ like UCI, who are in businesses mainly for their own (self) interests, a point RECSARE make very strongly along with justified criticism of the ideologically driven ‘experts’ who always  ‘know best’.   RESCARE very much argue that one size does not fit all, whether it be residential or day care.  Whilst they are an English focused charity the principles are the same and it’s useful ammunition as a resource.  After all why do we need to rediscover the wheel?    If you think this is helpful and useful then please share all this with other carers and your local ARC groups. 

Please circulate or post details of any other meeting(s) yet proposed by JA at other ARCs re the future closure plans.  We shall be trying to organise a DGPPG meeting in the next 4-6 weeks as the way JA is trying to ignore us and pretend we do not exist cannot be allowed to continue.  We know he wants to divide and rule, but it’s in everyone’s interest not to let that happen.  Anyway he has a statutory to consult when required to do so and the present silly games should be stopped by the Chief Executive.